Scott Brash and John Whitaker lead high class entry at Olympia

Despite the absence of Nick Skelton and Big Star, some of the leading names in the sport head to the London International Horse Show at Olympia next week (13-19 December) for what is sure to be some top class showjumping.

Thirteen British riders head to the capital city for the international classes. The country’s leading rider Scott Brash, ranked number 10 in the world, brings Hello Forever (pictured), Hello M’Lord and Hello M’Lady, while John Whitaker will be in action on his Olympic mount Ornellaia, as well as crowd favourite Argento and Lord Of Arabia.

Ben Maher rides his 2014 Olympia grand prix winner Diva II, as well as Thalis De La Roque and new mount Don Vito.

Also lining up with their top horses are Olympia regulars Michael Whitaker (Viking, Daedalus Van T&L and JB’s Hot Stuff), William Funnell (Billy Angelo, Billy Onslow and Billy McCain) and Laura Renwick (Bintang II, Con Chilli, Rembrandt Blue and Van De Vivaldi), alongside Robert Bevis (Courtney Z, Pebbles IV and KBIS Caicos), Jessica Mendoza (Wan Architect, Toy Boy and Horst Van De Mispelaere), Anna Power (Chesterfield Z and Edison V), Holly Smith (Quality Old Joker), James Smith (Tyson Uno), Tim Wilks (Quelbora Merze and Cherry Ann) and Chloe Winchester (Shannondale Linnet).

Five riders come representing Ireland — Anthony Condon, Darragh Kenny, Christopher Megahey, Cian O’Connor and Peter Smyth.

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• Live coverage of Valegro’s retirement to be shown by BBC
• What do native judges want to see at Olympia?

From further afield, the show welcomes Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, the 2012 Olympic champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Peder Fredricson of Sweden, Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands, France’s Olympic heroes Penelope Leprevost, Philippe Rozier and Kevin Staut, and Germany’s leading riders Daniel Deusser, Marcus Ehning and Marco Kutscher.

The London International Horse Show at Olympia takes place from 13-19 December and you can follow H&H for all the latest updates and news with full report in the 29 December issue of the magazine.

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.